I sure hope Michael Vick realizes how blessed he is to have a mentor such as Tony Dungy.

If not for the former Super Bowl-champion coach of the Indianapolis Colts taking the time to get involved in Vick's life due to his 18-month prison term for operating a dogfighting ring, I really wonder where Vick would be right now. Maybe not getting a second chance at an NFL career.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell ruled Thursday that Vick will be reinstated for the third game of the regular season.

Initially, Goodell had issued a longer suspension, but he lessened the penalty after meeting with Eagles coach Andy Reid on Thursday to discuss Vick's progress. Goodell also spoke at length with Dungy, who has provided support to Vick in recent months.

I met Tony Dungy, a native of Jackson, Mich., a few years ago at a Grand Rapids charity event.

He was the keynote speaker at the Mentor1 West Michigan Sports Awards and every bit the gentleman and good-natured soul that he seems. There is nothing fake about Dungy. He comes from a humble background, and is a caring Christian man who seems to have life's priorities in the right order.

It is largely because of Dungy's influence that Vick is getting his life back together.

The ruling by Goodell clearing the way for Vick's early return will infuriate a lot of animal rights activists and others just plain disgusted with the quarterback's off-the-field troubles in the past. The burden remains on Vick to show that he has changed. If he screws up again, it is no one's fault but his own.

The more and more he listens to Dungy, though, the better his chances become of leading a much different and much better life.